Get rid of Markets...?

[d3funct]

In inc's everlasting quest to squeeze resources out of the computers...

[ie. You 'Search' for a topic, and your wording returned 0 entries. Then you go and make yourself a roast dinner. You then only have a little bit of time left before you are allowed to search again with altered phrases :D]

...why do we have the markets the way they are?

Considering the somewhat limited and slow pace of the trading on these forums - would it not be easier and beneficial to the host, to eliminate the seperate 'Markets' and simply have a sub-forum here, to Buy or Sell or Trade or ask for advice?

Everything For Sale goes in 1 forum, Wanted in another, maybe 'What to buy/Advice' in another...?

This is the first forum I've come across with such a 'Market' system, inall honestly, I dont like it.
I check the boards regularly - I only remember to check the Markets, when I want something specific.

Thoughts?

[waynep]

On a slightly related topic, it seems to me the site has slowed related to increase in the number of forums ( eg we now have seperate forum for each type of LR wheas we only had one technical one for everything before. )
As well as that there are other sub forums springing up in other areas.
This is possibly nothing to do with the slowness, but I for one would be happy to go back to just one Technical section regardless.

[incisor]

1) the markets chews less resources than having it in a forum type setup as it isnt included in every search that is performed on the site. thats one reason why i did it that way in the first place, plus it can run auctions and take instant payments via paypal etc etc etc

define slow trading... quite a bit gets sold on there at times, its all relative.

it would be cheaper to run in a forum setting but would have a heavier impact on system load as i pay a yearly fee for the software.

2) the number of forums itself doesn't generate load.

the split popularity of the separate areas is about 50 /50 so .....

the thing that loads the system is the number of database transactions and number of web pages served.

searches are the number one load generator, the sheer number of web pages served the number two load generator.

this place is much busier than most similar sized forums. the post rate can be truly amazing compared to many others with a similar sized userbase.

to go from 20gig of data shipped out to users in a month to over 120gig of data shipped out in a month in under 12 months on a vehicle specific site like this is pretty dammed amazing stuff.

the next step up is a split server setup with the existing server just doing the database transactions (it is coping with this side of things just fine) and another more powerful server doing the http serving.

if you have a decent 1RU 3gig dual xeon server sitting around picking its nose, i would love to hear from you :P

[Redback]

1) the markets chews less resources than having it in a forum type setup as it isnt included in every search that is performed on the site. thats one reason why i did it that way in the first place, plus it can run auctions and take instant payments via paypal etc etc etc

define slow trading... quite a bit gets sold on there at times, its all relative.

it would be cheaper to run in a forum setting but would have a heavier impact on system load as i pay a yearly fee for the software.

2) the number of forums itself doesn't generate load.

the split popularity of the separate areas is about 50 /50 so .....

the thing that loads the system is the number of database transactions and number of web pages served.

searches are the number one load generator, the sheer number of web pages served the number two load generator.

this place is much busier than most similar sized forums. the post rate can be truly amazing compared to many others with a similar sized userbase.

to go from 20gig of data shipped out to users in a month to over 120gig of data shipped out in a month in under 12 months on a vehicle specific site like this is pretty dammed amazing stuff.

the next step up is a split server setup with the existing server just doing the database transactions (it is coping with this side of things just fine) and another more powerful server doing the http serving.

if you have a decent 1RU 3gig dual xeon server sitting around picking its nose, i would love to hear from you :P


:eek2::eek2::Thump:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

like this???
LOT 3 HP Proliant DL380 G3 DUAL XEON 2.8GHz 3GB Server - eBay (item 190221193786 end time May-16-08 13:00:00 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-3-HP-Proliant-DL380-G3-DUAL-XEON-2-8GHz-3GB-Server_W0QQitemZ190221193786QQihZ009QQcategoryZ512 15QQcmdZViewItem)

[incisor]

nah, that would do it but a dual 3gig cpu with 2gig ram and dual 36 ultra scsi hdds would be the go..

they pop up from time to time cheaper than that ...

[Greylandy]

Inc. give us an estimated cost for such a server?

[incisor]

you can get some decent second hand gear for about 2k, just getting the right mix of bits like raid cards etc etc is the thing...

[V8Landy]

May be we should all chip in especially for a new server + suscribe i know not every one will agree(there are some tight arses around)But if it helps out why not.Cheers Brett

[81stubee]

I was actually thinking this, I would pay an annual membership or something for this site, to keep it in tip top shape. Its such a valuable resource to me, its been the first thing i check when i get home for the last 2 years.

Maybe you could have it as a guest can only log in twice a week, and members anytime.

I dunno just a thought

Stu

[LandyAndy]

Markets is good!!!
Lots of stuff I would love to grab but havent had the coin at the time.
Did get some solar panels,and a few other bits and pieces over the years.Havent sold yet but have a couple of Stage1s up for grabs.
I would think lots of stuff gets traded thru the markets,perhaps Dave should TAX it:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool: as an AULRO fundraiser!!!.
d3funct, you were chasing Disco wheels thru the WA AULROians a few days ago.Markets is the prime place to place a wanted ad,gets aussie wide coverage.
Andrew

[Aaron]

Ive seen good results from a donation button.

A server we used had a promo - xxx dollars upfront payment = lifetime hosting at the current monthly rate, no matter how much expansion their was. Funds were raised buy a PayPal donation button top of screen, and we but a "donating member" tag in pretty colours under their user group title. Worked well.

There isn't a donation button on here ATM is there? If so, point it out to me.

[one_iota]

I'm with you Andrew (Hi :))

Given the exposure that this place now has if you want to sell anything LR related advertise it here. I reckon a small commission grabbed by the site would not be unreasonable...but that is a policy decision.

[81stubee]

Me too, I'm sure the minister for finance will agree!

[Aaron]

Oh yeah - RE- Markets. I like them, Without them I would have ended up with a Disco (not so bad) Or a GU Ute!

[one_iota]

There isn't a donation button on here ATM is there? If so, point it out to me.

It all hangs on a word...donation = subscribe:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/payments.php